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Where, oh where has Windows 2000 gone?

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8 replies

by curtisinterruptus 1 view

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Being a newbie to the Windows world, I am working in a relative pure Windows 2000 company. Now, it appears, Micro$oft has made it impossible to get the 2000 Professional OS on Dell Laptops or even to buy single copies from our vendor, CDW. I know I have not been in the main stream on this issue. Can you guys clue me in on what the heck Gates is up to this time? I am seriously considering migrating our entire OS system to Linux in the next year. I have watch other companies do this and now,for the first time, It is looking feasible to me.

Curt

8 replies

by able-admin

if you absolutely need W2k Pro then look at dell's "workstations". They are still avail. with 2k

All the "desktops" have been switched over to xp due to the higher home user demand

by nelsonok

M$ has changed the OEM EULA for XP so that you can take advantage of downgrade rights and use Win2K if you so choose; it's the first time they've ever done that.

by madroxxx

Yes you can "downgrade" which is nice, however it is a pain in the but to have to format and reinstall every stinking computer you buy from dell.

by mrafrohead

True, but do you really want to have the OS installed half-a**ed on your PC's like Dell does???

First thing we do here, is take them out of the box and format the hard drive. Reinstall the OS with OUR switches how WE like it...

The computers end up running longer and more efficiently with less problems...

Mrafrohead

And it really doesn't take that much longer...

by Member 25088450

You can do this. Purchase your Dells with the Win2k client OEM software. and image them (I use GHOST). Make sure you have a WIN2k license for every computer you image. Dell has cooporated with us on this for some time. Of course we now are getting all of our new Dells with XP. (Corporate decision)

by bill_beach

That's exactly what I do, pull 'em out and reformat, makes for a much cleaner install, and that way I know exactly what's on there.

by madroxxx

This is the best course of action. I can't always do that as I support 150 users at 5 locations by myself.

by djent

This is a contractual issue between MS and the OEMs. Win2K is still available to OEMs but most choose to sell the latest snake oil from MS as it reduces their OS support load. MS has a big incentive to push XP as it requires authentication and therefore reduces piracy so they twist the OEMs arm into selling only XP and tell you that W2K is no longer available.

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